Excellent exposition of TiruppugazhEnlightening moments of devotional poetry and music prevailed upon every member in the audience at a unique exposition, Chhanda Tamizh Tandha Kanda-k-Kadavul by Tiruppugazh exponent Valayapettai R. Krishnan accompanied by his wife and senior Carnatic vocalist T.V. Sundaravalli and daughter Bhavya Harisankar. The programme was part of the Panchamurti festival devised by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, under the guidance of its Chairman Deva and Member-Secretary Chitra Visweswaran, to a packed auditorium with intent listeners.
“Iraivaa! Edu taa, Adu taa” – “God! Whatever You have decided to give, give that”, sang the saint-poet and composer Arunagirinatha, at the shrine in Nagapattinam, expressing his utter surrender and absolute devotion to his favourite deity Lord Muruga. This was narrated by Tiruppugazh exponent Valaypettai R. Krishnan in the course of his lecture-demonstration. It was one of the many moving narrations by the versatile speaker as he highlighted the content of the Tiruppugazh hymns coated with deep devotion, spirituality, philosophy and the pursuit of salvation by the singing minstrel, Arunagirinatha.
At the outset, the speaker described the literary and poetical genius of the composer, giving importance to the aspect of chhandam – the metrical arrangement adopted by Arunagirinatha to suit his songs addressed to the deity at several holy shrines. Prevalence of the vast expanse of the different tala structures (anga talas), which do not come under the 108 tala system, their rhythmical pattern (using syllables like tana, thaana), the concluding adornment like a pendant in a necklace (tongal - hanging), Chhanda-k-kuzhippu (the winding up of a cluster of chhandams) of every segment, the use of unique phrases and references to epics in the content – were all discussed with exquisite vocal rendition of suitable examples. Other composers like Vannaccharabham Dandapani Swamigal (19th century) and Pamban Swamigal (20thcentury) who followed this mode of composing were highlighted.
Chosing appropriate Tiruppugazh pieces to explain the different aspects of the poetical set up, like the short (kuril), long (nedil), stress (vallinam), soft (mellinam), idaiyinam (middle type) usage of tonal arrangements like the Vedic recitation (at Tiruchirappalli) were all discussed in yet another inspiring episode, accompanied by the soul-filling vocal rendition by the trio including the speaker, making the exposition a very soulful, moving homage to the 650 years old Tiruppugazh compositions and their immortal composer. The speaker mentioned an extensive list prepared by Vannachcharbham Dandapani Swamigal on the different ‘healing qualities ‘ ascribed to each Tiruppugazh
In a lighter vein, Krishnan made pointed reference to the different clusters of word-setup in Tiruppugazh hymns, which are like tongue-twisters, and would surely help to improve the pronunciation of news readers in Tamil TV channels! He added on a warning note that wrong pronunciation and wrong pauses or misuse of the chhandams may cause unholy and unhealthy results. In this context, Krishnan cited a funny episode of how a humble devotee suffering from acute stomach ache, began rendering the Tiruppugazh hymns with mistakes and how Lord Muruga came down and healed his ailment to stop him from continuing his faulty approach towards the compositions of His dear devotee, Arunagiri! This incident has been recorded by Dandapani Swamigal in his work titled Pulavar Puranam which extols several mystic devotees of Lord Muruga. The speaker concluded that if such a devotee could receive the Lord’s grace at once, you can imagine the extent of the bountiful blessings that one with clear diction and deep devotion could get by chanting the Tiruppugazh as well as the shadakshari – Saravanabhava.
T.V. Sundaravalli is an inheritor of the rich musical corpus of Tiruppugazh and the traditional bhajana pathantara of the ashtapadis from her versatile father, musician-scholar T.S. Vasudevan – a profound practitioner of these musical treasures that he inherited from his father, an authority in the sampradaya bhajana paddhati). Sundaravalli’s bhava-laden singing heightened the excellence of the presentation; it was heartening to hear her talented daughter Bhavya sing all the compositions with impeccable pronunciation of the chaste Tamizh lyrics, without looking into the book even once – a rare feat in this tech-savvy music scenario.
E. Gayatri, Vice Chancellor, Tamilnadu University of Performing Arts, presided over the event and honoured Valayapettai R. Krishnan and the group, which was accompanied by talented violinist R.S. Sudha and the vibrant mridangist Sai Sankar.
By: Nandini Ramani

Dhananjayans honouredThe title of Gurusreshta was conferred on veteran Bharatanatyam exponents and Gurus Shanta and V.P. Dhananjayan, by the Peravoor Kalamandir, College of Fine Arts, Kerala, on 29 April 2015 during their annual Nataraja art festival 2015.
By: Sruti

Homage to Rajappa IyerThe entire hall was brimming with glowing tributes to a veteran teacher-performer from the field of percussive arts. The function was filled with deep regard and a sense of sincere reverence to Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer on his eighth anniversary observed by his son and prime disciple, K.R. Ganesh, senior exponent of mridangam at his centre, Layodaya. This centre has been honouring veterans in the field of Carnatic music annually on this remembrance day. This year, K.S. Kalidas, veteran exponent and a prime student of the legendary Palani Subramania Pillai, and Sendangudi Jayaraman, a prime disciple of stalwart D.K. Jayaraman were honoured with mementos. The awardees dedicated their cash awards back to Layodaya. Both the recipients fondly remembered Rajappa Iyer; also, they shared their own personal musical and emotional experiences over the decades in the field while working with their illustrious masters.
Chief guests, renowned musicians, Bombay Sisters Saroja and Lalitha, offered their felicitations to the awardees as well as to Layodaya for their dedication to their 'Guru parampara'. It was heartening to see so many leading students of Rajappa Iyer participating in the event to offer their homage. The doyen, a renowned performer of mridangam and ghatam, had accompanied stalwarts during his prime career. A respected and renowned teacher par excellence, he had trained almost a thousand students in his lifetime, many of whom have reached the top as percussionists and ghatam players.
Earlier, the function began on an auspicious note with Vedic recitation. After K.R. Ganesh welcomed the audience, a short, vibrant percussive solo in Khanda Chapu tala by one of the leading disciples, Kumbakonam Ramakrishnan accompanied by Madippakkam Murali, gave a bright start to the proceedings. A brief multimedia presentation with tributes by several eminent musicians and clippings of classroom sessions of Rajappa Iyer with some of his senior students was screened.
The highlight of the event was certainly an outstanding display of tremendous skill by two young talents, Subrahmanyam from the US, currently an IITian here and Akshay Anand (from Bengaluru), both of them trained to perfection by K.S. Kalidas, in the “Pazhani" style of mridangam playing. K.S. Kalidas, at first explained the invaluable concept of playing the “Chatusram” (sarvalaghu) in concerts which is no easy task and which has its own intricate, nuanced approach. He further spoke of his training under Palani Subramania Pillai. Kalidas, a mechanical engineer by education and by profession a very senior official (retired) of the Indian Railways, has taken it as a mission to propagate the “Pazhani" school, to the future generation, in order to preserve its excellence for posterity. The two students made their teacher proud with their immense skill, involvement and stunning performances, each one carrying himself with ample confidence and verve. Eminent members of the audience like the Bombay Sisters and all leading students of Rajappa Iyer encouraged them in great appreciation. It was indeed, a fitting tribute to the great teacher Rajappa Iyer. V. Sundararaghavan, senior disciple and board member of Layodaya proposed a vote of thanks.
By: Nandini Ramani

Deepak Mazumdar's 60th birthdayRupak Mehta, Founder Trustee and Managing Director of Brahmnaad Trust & Academy of Performing Arts, celebrated his guru Deepak Mazumdar's 60th birthday (shashthi-poorti) on 26 April in Mumbai. Deepak Mazumdar, noted Bharatanatyam exponent, guru and scholar has been active in the field for over four decades.
Well known music director Ravindra Jain inaugurated the celebration by lighting the lamp and rendering a poem. Eminent personalities in the field of art were honoured on the special occasion. Deepak Mazumdar's guru Dr. Kanak Rele and star actor-dancer Hema Malini with whom he has collaborated, were conferred the title of Brahma Ratna.
Veterans artists, scholars and writers like Darshana Jhaveri, Dr. Sunil Kothari, Dr. B.M. Sundaram, Ashit Desai, and Dr. Sandhya Purecha were honoured with Brahma Padma. The hero of the evening, Deepak Mazumdar, was presented the Kanak Ratna award.
Talented young dancers Rupak Mehta, Keerthana Ravi, Mugdha Mane and Neha Muthiyan bagged the Kanak Bhushan awards. 'Brahmabodhi', a magazine of art and culture, was released by the galaxy of dignitaries present on stage.
By: Sruti

G. Karunambal passes awayG. Karunambal of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Mumbai, passed away on 29 April 2015. She was the daughter of natyacharya T. Kuppiah Pillai, wife of A.T. Govindaraja Pillai, and sister of Gurus T.K. Mahalingam Pillai and Kalyanasundaram Pillai. She and her husband were among the first teachers to travel to Bombay to teach Bharatanatyam. Starting with private tuitions they went on to become part and parcel of the Rajarajeswari school from the day it was founded in 1945. She was the leader of its cultural troupe which performed in 15 cities in America and Canada in 1995, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Kala Mandir. She served as principal of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir for several years and trained over a hundred students including famous dancers like Damayanti Joshi, Kamini Kaushal, Nalini Jayawant, Guru Mani of Kalasadan, Praveena Vashi, Sudha Chandrasekher, Lakshmi Iyer, Jayam and Asha Amarnath.
Sruti's heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families.
By: Sruti

Adyar K. Rama Rao passes awayAdyar K. Rama Rao, veteran vocalist, nattuvangam artist and gottuvadyam player, passed away on 3 May 2015 in Chennai. He was the elder brother of Guru Adyar Lakshman, and an alumnus of Kalakshetra. He served his alma mater for several years and was also associated with Darpana Academy in Ahmedabad. He also provided accompaniment for senior Bharatanatyam exponent Komala Varadan in Delhi. On his return to Chennai he became part of the faculty in Vyjayantimala Bali's dance school and soon became an integral part of his brother Adyar Lakshman's institution Bharata Choodamani. ABHAI – Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India – honoured him with the title of Kala Seva Nidhi Lifetime Commitment Award in 2014.
By: Sruti

Nataka ChoodamaniDr. Gowri Ramnarayan was conferred the "Nataka Choodamani title by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha on April 14, 2015.

Sahrdaya’s arts camp in the hillsThe morning of 9th October was an exciting day for a group of dancers and dance students. As participants of the Sahrdaya Performing Arts Camp 2014 we arrived in Mettupalayam to proceed to Riverside Public School in Kotagiri, where the camp was to be held over the next four days. As we all got off the train there were many close friends, known faces and new friends to make among the 32 of us.
The drive up from Mettupalayam to Kotagiri along the winding roads of the Nilgiris, the mist, the gentle rays of the sun and the vast expanse of tea estates seemed to set the serene tone for the next four days.
From the orientation on arrival to the return train journey, it was four full days of learning to dance and studying different aspects of dance, music related to dance, exploring poetry and watching masters of the arts perform and speak to us. The days seemed to fly past us, with every moment a rich learning experience.
Every morning began with a walk. The cold weather made it very hard, but we somehow managed to pull on our sweaters and get out! We would barely have time to come back and change into our dance sarees before walking to the Riverside School campus for the day’s sessions. A sumptuous, hot breakfast would be waiting for us at the dining hall.
We started the morning session on most days at 8.30 with a practical class with Sheejith Krishna. Over the four days we learnt a tillana in Behag, a composition of Papanasam Sivan choreographed by Sheejith. These classes were very interesting. The challenge of learning the tillana within four days made the sessions very intense and required us to be attentive and observe very keenly. In the process, we learnt many principles relating to technique, and how to apply them to dance. We learnt to control the attami and let it flow with the layam, and to move from one mandala to another with no postures in between. We learnt about beauty and observed the process of choreographing.
There was a guest session everyday by Prof. C.V. Chandrasekhar, music classes with Jyothishmathi Sheejith, poetry classes with Akhila Ramnarayan, padam sessions with Manjari and nattuvangam and layam sessions with Sheejith Krishna.
Guru Chandrasekhar taught us a keertanam he had choreographed. He told us how important it is to move our bodies in accordance with each sangati. Another important lesson was on the modulation between subtlety and sharpness required to enhance the dance. He got us to feel how subtlety could not be achieved without firmness in the body.
In keeping with the inter-connected approach of the camp, we learnt the kriti that he taught us, in Jyothishmathi’s music classes. During these sessions we were able to see how every musical nuance in the song had a connection to the adavus and the abhinaya.
The poetry sessions initially seemed like a non-dance activity. Little did we realise that understanding poetry is an integral part of learning dance. Over the four days we took the poem A River, by A.K. Ramanujan. Under the guidance of Akhila Ramnarayan, we understood the different interpretations of the poem. The fascinating part of the poetry sessions was to see how modern poetry, classical works and dance can merge. The conversations that emerged from these sessions were truly enriching.
Manjari taught us the padam Tamarasaksha in Yadukulakhamboji. She got us to focus on internalizing the emotions in the padam, understanding the character to be portrayed and then trying to express the emotions. This was a challenge for me personally. I understood that in doing a padam, you must understand the role you are playing, the background to the padam and also to whom you are addressing your feelings. In many ways we realised how poetry and dance seamlessly go together in such majestic compositions.
Sheejith Krishna made us understand that the art of nattuvangam is not about following the adavus on stage. He showed us the beauty in reciting the jatis and konnakol, using the instrument and in creating the jatis.
Apart from these daily sessions we had guest lectures and demonstrations. We had two lectures by Prof. Ashish Khokar on choreography and documenting Indian dance. There was a lecture demonstration on the interconnectedness of dance and music by Anjana Anand and Jyothishmathi. It was very useful and apt for us young students and dancers. Through the demonstration they shared with us historical information relating to both Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. The presentation mainly focused on three topics – the intertwined histories of music and dance, information about musician dancers and dancer musicians, and musical compositions composed or adapte for dance. Demonstrations and explanations made the topics very accessible. This made us all see the value of learning both and understanding that music and dance have to come together for a programme to be beautiful.
The other lecture demonstration was on Kathakali by Dr. Ettumanoor Kannan. For me this was one of the highlights of the camp. I have watched many Kathakali performances but never really known the different aspects of this art form. The presentation gave us insights into the mudras used, the way pieces are choreographed, the synchronisation between music and dance and the various facial movements, among other things.
In every way, the core members of Sahrdaya Foundation — the director, Sheejith, Jyothishmathi, Manjari, Anjana, Akhila and Prem Keerth — gave us a complete experience in the arts. Whether it was the teachers sharing their inputs in every session or referring to things we learnt in previous sessions or the programmes in the evening, the camp highlighted the connections between the various disciplines.
This camp would not have been possible without the generous hospitality of the staff and students of the Riverside Public School. At every meal time we felt pampered by the staff who very caringly served us delicious food. The whole atmosphere in the school seemed very conducive for a serious art camp. We heard strains of children practising music from different corners and it was amazing to see the students and staff participate in the sessions with the same seriousness as the camp delegates.
When I look back at the four days, I am filled with happy memories of learning, friendships and experiences I will treasure. I am a student of dance who has just decided to pursue dance full time. The camp showed me that in the company of serious dancers and students, there is much unconscious assimilation with regard to style, body posture, ways of warming up, and execution of adavus.
The camp was a great opportunity for me to listen to senior artists and teachers on various subjects. It taught me that when discipline and attention come together, learning takes place. Above all, being in the presence of senior artists was a huge source of inspiration and validation for a student who has embarked on this journey.
I certainly miss the late night practice sessions, conversations over our tea and of course all the fun we had. We can never have enough of such an experience and I am already looking forward to next year’s camp.
VARISHA NARAYANAN
(A student of music and dance)

First edition of Girnar festival in JunagadhFor the first time the Girnar festival of classical dance and music was organized this year at the Town Hall in Junagadh, Gujarat by Patel Cultural Foundation, Mumbai. The five-day festival of classical dance, vocal and instrumental music was a fine platform for artists from different parts of the country.
While some performances were excellent, some only partially pleased. On the whole, it was interesting to watch young performers and mature artists participating, for which the credit goes to M.K. Patel of the cultural foundation. Artists who came forward to participate in this maiden venture were Bhimanna Jadhav, Namrata Gupta, Grishma Lele, Nirali Kartik, Rajendra Solanki, Mrinal Upadhyay, Satyender Solanki, Sujata Nair, Rahuldev Mondal, Mayur Vaidya, Monica Shah, Janhavi Behra, Bijal Haria, Shuchismita and Debopriya Chatterjee, Nitin Shirale, Uddhav Rao Appegoankar, Gulzar Husain, Debasish Pattnaik, Prachi Saathi, Salma Ghosh, Leena Malakar. Hridev Ray, Satish Krishnaamurthy, Anuratn Rai, Revathi S. Vipul Trivedi and Rajendra Chaturvedi.
After Bhimanna Jadhav played the sundari, an instrument similar to the shehnai, the audience were treated to Odissi by young talented Namrata Gupta who performed a Hamsadhwani pallavi, followed by Vaishnava janato, choreographed by Namrata’s mentor Daksha Mashruwala. The other Odissi dancer at Girnar was Janhavi whose abhinaya was impressive. Kuchipudi dancer Bijal Haria from Ahmedabad, a talented disciple of Smita Shastri, left a lasting impression with her vivacious performance. Her rendering of the Mandooka Sabdam and the Tarangam won her applause. Mohini Attam was presented by Sujatha.
Many male dancers were featured at the festival – Debasish Pattanaik, Nitin Shirale, Rahuldev Mondal, Mayur Vaidya and Rajendra Chaturvedi. Debasish’s performance stood out for its fine combination of grace and vigour. Rahuldev and his students rendered a lively performance, marked by clarity of movements, and inclusion of akasa charis and karanas to depict the dance of Lord Siva. Nitin, Mayur and Rajendra are competent Kathak dancers with a distinct style.
Music concerts were also part of the fare. Gulzar Husain’s violin and Satyendra Solanki’s santoor concerts were brilliant, winning them applause. Vipul Trivedi’s vocal recital was commendable for his control over the gayaki and raga vistaar of Bagesree. Vocalist Nirali Kartik is blessed with a remarkable voice, and Salma Ghosh’s dhrupad recital was noteworthy for the distinct clarity of raga delineation. Satish Krishnamurthy and troupe won rare praise from the audience for their excellent percussion presentation. On the whole, it was a good mix of entertainment and talent at the first edition of the Girnar festival. Enthused by the success of the event, the organisers are planning to host the second festival early next year.
VIJAY SHANKER

Classical music returns to AssamIn an otherwise vibrant cultural scenario, Hindustani classical music has visibly (and audibly) gone into decline in Assam. This is a great pity, for at one time this was a flourishing art form in these valleys, and many recollect the All Assam Music Conferences with nostalgia and pride. There was a time when there were three consecutive allnight performances, but now you are hard pressed to find even a single evening’s show of the genre in the city. This is all the more surprising because other categories of the performing arts – even traditional music and dance – flourish here. There are of course, several reasons for this, of which the insurgency related unrest is but one. Who, in this troubled region would risk organising an evening’s programme, when a chance bomb blast or bandh call could result in cancelling the programme at the last moment?
It was therefore a welcome development when the North East Centre of the Sangeet Natak Akademi organised Surangan – a festival of music, on 11th and 12th October at the SNA NEC Hall. The six artists featured in the festival are all well known, and committed to keeping the flame alive in this strife torn land.
After the formal inauguration by renowned artist Prabhat Sarma, violinist Bidyut Misra opened the programme with four compositions in raga Bilakshana. The two percussionists who accompanied him on the tabla, Sudip Sarkar and Tirthendu Bhattacharjee, added energy to the concert. His was a mature, balanced performance, showing mastery over his medium. Jayaprakash Medhi’s vocal recital with Pankaj Sarma (harmonium) and Nitul Krishna Goswami (tabla) was followed by a sitar concert by Nabin Rajkonwor. His Keeravani reflected the trademark sweetness of his guru Monilal Nag’s playing. He concluded with a dhun, ably accompanied on the tabla by Subrata Chakravarty.
The second evening began with a mellifluous exposition of raga Bhoopali by flautist Deepak Sarma. His comprehensive and nuanced demonstration of the pentatonic raga impressed the listeners, who frequently broke into spontaneous applause. He was ably accompanied on the tabla by Dhriti Gobinda Dutta. This was followed by a vocal recital by Jiten Basumatari, known for his beautiful renditions of bhajans. He has a full bodied voice honed to a mellowness that appeals to listeners. His tabla accompanist was Dibyajyoti Sangmai, who gave sensitive support, as did Bhupen Nath on the harmonium.
The festival concluded with a sarod concert by Tarun Kalita who played Jhinjhoti in Jhaptaal and Teentaal. Though marked by vigorous stroke play, the rendering was pleasingly melodious. After a few more compositions, he ended with Omor aponar dex, in which the audience joined in. He was ably accompanied on the tabla by Debashish Bhattacharya.
During the festival, it was encouraging to see the hall overflowing with connoisseurs of music and musicians. It was heartening also to note that the audience had a sizeable section of youngsters and children. This augurs well for Hindustani classical music in the region, and we hope the Sangeet Natak Akademi will organise such festivals from time to time.
MITRA PHUKAN